Celtics notebook: Bryant, Bynum getting along

At 7-0, 285 pounds, Andrew Bynum is about twice the size of Kobe Bryant, and he's been a pro for about one quarter of the time.

Mike Fine

At 7-0, 285 pounds, Andrew Bynum is about twice the size of Kobe Bryant, and he's been a pro for about one quarter of the time.

That didn't stop Bryant from grousing about the youngster's play last season, even implying that it was one of the reasons he wanted to be traded.

He's not doing it this season -- grousing about Bynum, that is. In fact, the pair has become fast friends. The 20-year-old Lakers center has been a mainstay of his team, entering Friday's Garden meeting with the Celtics averaging 11.5 points and 10.0 rebounds, with six double-double as the Lakers surged to an early 7-4 record.

"We've seen increased ability in his conditioning," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "Last year he was getting tired after five or six minutes, or he'd get in foul trouble and make mistakes. This year he's been able to stay on the floor (24.6 minutes per game) and consistently help us."

"He's clearly played terrific," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "Talk about underlying reasons (for the Lakers' success) -- offensively, he's a bear. And he's done a great job with his weakside defending, getting to shots you don't think he can get to. If I had to project, I'd say he's going to be a heckuva basketball player for a long time. I love his potential."

Pruitt to NBDL

Having sent rookie Brandon Wallace to Utah of the NBDL a couple of weeks early, the Celtics Friday did likewise to rookie guard Gabe Pruitt, whose basic job had been an insurance man-in case of emergency.

"He wasn't playing," Rivers said. "Danny (Director of Operations Ainge) talked to me a couple of days ago. I said no and then I thought about it. I was concerned at the time with (James) Posey and Paul (Pierce). Then I thought about it."

Posey had been suffering with back and knee problems, and Pierce had strained his back, but Posey is feeling much better and Pierce healed quickly.

"Once they were cleared, Rivers said, "my feeling was let him go and play. We only have one practice coming up. I thought let him go and play, and if someone gets hurt, they have airplanes."

Pruitt had played only two games, averaging 2.0 points in 3.0 minutes.

Who’s covering who

The Lakers came in without center Kwame Brown (ankle and knee sprains), who ordinarily would have guarded Kevin Garnett.